University Of Kansas Beta Theta Pi Renovates House To Accommodate Paralyzed Initiate

Kramer Smash9 years ago

Tom Babb, a Beta Theta Pi from the University of Kansas, thought his hopes of being initiated and living in the chapter’s house were dashed earlier this year when a neck injury at the beach left him paralyzed and without the use of his hands.

From FOX 4 Kansas City:

“That was one of the things I was really bummed about when I first got paralyzed, obviously I wouldn`t be able to come back to the house, nor would I be able to be initiated,” Babb said.

Half a year and tens of thousands of dollars later, the brothers of Beta Theta Pi are completing renovations to their historic house in Lawrence to make it ADA compliant and entirely accessible to Babb.

Fraternity members spent the past six months gathering donations from alumni and coming up with a plan that would meet ADA guidelines and still keep the house on the Register of National Historic Places. Friday, Babb showed off his new first floor bedroom with a lift on a track that spans the room to get him into his special bed, and wheelchair accessible bathroom.

A chip in his wheelchair unlocks outside doors, others have been widened and have motion detectors.

Babb’s injury opened the eyes of his Beta Theta Pi brothers to the struggles other students with disabilities face. They’ve already raised more than $50,000 to give a student who needs full-time professional help a scholarship this school year.

And the show of altruism didn’t stop there: They stepped outside the confines of Greek life and started a scholarship in this kid’s honor. I guarantee the guys of Beta put every ounce of their being into fundraising for their new brother’s scholarship because philanthropy is so much more special when there’s a personal sentiment to it.

Keep up the magnanimous work, Beta, and we wish Tom the best of luck with this semester and everything going forward..

[via FOX 4 Kansas City]

Image via Instagram/ @kansasbeta